The Citadel Theatre is excited to announce a call for submissions for the 2023/24 Mainstage Assistant Director Program. This professional development program has been developed to support directors as they develop their skills, particularly in large scale Mainstage work.
THE PROGRAM
This is a unique program that is built in collaboration with the selected artists involved, the Mainstage directors they will be working with as well as with Mieko Ouchi, Associate Artistic Director, who will support this program and these artists as Mentor.
Opportunities will include:
- 1-on-1 mentorship with Mieko Ouchi and the Mainstage director;
- Access to and participation in rehearsals for your Mainstage production;
- hands-on creative apprenticeships on your Mainstage production;
- tours of the building and facilities and conversations with Citadel staff throughout the season;
- invitations to opening night events;
- Artist profile on the Citadel Theatre website with amplification on our social media feeds;
All artists will receive a $2500 honorarium as part of the program.
This season we have three different opportunities, which applicants can apply for. Please read each description and call carefully.
PRODUCTION 1: The Importance of Being Earnest
By Oscar Wilde
Synopsis: Two society bachelors pretending to be a man called Ernest try to keep up the charade when they meet two women who know them only as their alter egos. Mayhem ensures in this Oscar Wilde farce about the real importance of being earnest.
This production will be directed by Jackie Maxwell in the MacLab Theatre.
Rehearsal Starts – August 24, 2023
First Preview – September 23
Opening – September 27
PRODUCTION 2: The Mountaintop
By Katori Hall
Synopsis: A reimagining of events the night before the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When a mysterious stranger arrives at his hotel with some surprising news, King is forced to confront his destiny and his legacy to his people.
This production will be directed by Patricia Darbasie in the MacLab Theatre.
Rehearsal Starts – March 8, 2024
First Preview – March 30
Opening – April 4
PRODUCTION 3: The Three Musketeers
Adapted by Catherine Bush, from the novel by Alexandre Dumas
Synopsis: The young D’Artagnan comes to Paris hoping to join the renowned King’s Musketeers, but first must prove himself, so he sets off with the Musketeers to thwart a plot by the evil Cardinal Richelieu. Together, they’ll fight All for One, and One for All.
This production will be directed by Daryl Cloran in the Shoctor Theatre.
Rehearsal Starts – March 21, 2024
First Preview – April 20
Opening – April 25
PROPOSALS
We invite applications from artists who would like to explore and build their professional skills in directing. We are looking for applicants who are based in Edmonton, and who have experience in directing multiple full-length plays or musicals, have demonstrated skill in this area and who are looking to build even more sophisticated tools. Previous participants in the Assistant Director program are welcome to apply again, but should identify what new skills they hope to acquire from this assistantship and why this opportunity will be different from the past one.
As one of the largest cultural organizations in Alberta, Citadel Theatre commits to dismantling the systemic racism in Canadian theatre practice. This includes making space for those that have not been given the opportunity to create and thrive in rehearsal halls and theatres across the country. Our organization has made substantial movement in the presence of Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC) artists on our stages in recent seasons, but we still have so much work to do to increase representation in the artistic talent pool of directors. There is a true lack of opportunity for emerging, early career and even established artists to make the leap from smaller independent projects to the large productions found on regional stages. We aim to remove that barrier, and to make the space available for BIPOC artists to learn, grow and be supported.
Proposals should be a maximum of four pages, and should include:
- A biography or résumé;
- A letter outlining:
- Which production, or productions the applicant would like to be considered for and why;
- Practical skills the applicant hopes to learn, build upon and augment during the production or productions (keep in mind each opportunity is unique);
- Areas and topics that the applicant hope to build knowledge in from mentorship;
- Skills the applicant can bring to the production;
- Why this program is a good fit for you at this point in your career;
- A rough schedule/sense of the applicant’s availability.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
We wish to acknowledge that the land on which we live and work is Treaty No. 6 territory and a traditional meeting ground and home of the First Nations, including both the treaty signatories – Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stony and Cree-Iroquois – as well as other Indigenous peoples, such as the Blackfoot and Métis, who occupied this land. We extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live, create and perform on this territory.
The Citadel Theatre is in the heart of amiskwaciwâskahikan ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Edmonton, AB), and we are proud to call Treaty 6 Territory home. As a regional theatre, it is integral that we ensure that the stories we tell, as well as the composition of our artists, board, staff, students and audience are reflective of the diverse lived experiences in this dynamic city. We strongly encourage submissions from artists who self-identify as members of under-represented communities. If there are barriers (language, disability or any other consideration) about the process preventing you from submitting, please let us know and we will work with you to overcome them.
For more on Citadel Theatre’s Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity work, including our 35//50 commitment, statements of support, annual diversity reports, CAEA Declared Actions Regarding Anti-Oppression and Inclusion, and other information, please visit our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion page on our website.
Please email Associate Artistic Director Mieko Ouchi, mouchi(at)citadeltheatre.com, with any questions.
SAFE WORKPLACE CULTURE
Citadel Theatre commits to providing a welcoming and safe experience for all artists, including clear workplace harassment policies. In situations where cultural safety and knowledge is needed as part of facilitating conversation, Citadel commits to working with third-party affinity counsel.
CITADEL THEATRE'S COVID-19 POLICY
The Citadel has been producing live theatre throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and our organization’s protocols have reflected the requirements and suggestions of public health officials. We recognize that each production we create will come with its own unique circumstances, depending on the venue, rehearsal hall, cast, show requirements, as well as government guidance and resources. Citadel Theatre’s COVID-19 Protocols (such as masking, screening, testing) will be prepared in advance for each production, distributed prior to rehearsals starting, and discussed on the first day of a production. If you have any questions about Citadel Theatre’s COVID-19 Protocols, please let us know.
SUBMISSION
Citadel Theatre is accepting proposals for the Mainstage Assistant Director Program until Friday, March 3 2023 Please submit a proposal of up to four pages (PDF format) to: mouchi(at)citadeltheatre.com, Subject: Mainstage Assistant Director Program.
SELECTION
Artists will be selected by a panel of Citadel Theatre staff, including:
Daryl Cloran, Artistic Director
Mieko Ouchi, TD Associate Artistic Director
Kristi Hansen, Artistic Associate
In consultation with the Director of each Mainstage Production.
There may be interviews requested with the Director of each Mainstage Production. All applicants will be informed of results via email by Monday March 27, 2023.